Card game using predetermined card combinations

ABSTRACT

A game for play by a player using a plurality of cards includes a wager posted by the player and first and second player hands provided to the player. The player hands each include at least two cards. The player receives a payout based on the wager if both the player hands form at least one of a plurality of predetermined card combinations. The wager is returned to the player if exactly one of the player hands form at least one of the plurality of predetermined card combinations. The wager is remitted if neither of the player hands forms at least one of the plurality of predetermined card combinations. Preferably, the plurality of predetermined card combinations include two cards with values summing to twenty, two cards representing a blackjack; and two cards representing a pair.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to games of chance, and more specifically to a card game wherein first and second player hands are compared to a predetermined list of card combinations, with a payout being awarded if both player hands match any of the card combinations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many casino games offer a player the opportunity to make a side bet, with the ultimate goal being to increase player participation and excitement while encouraging players to maximize their wager. As poker-type games have become increasingly popular in recent years, the addition of an auxiliary bet to a poker-type game would likely generate considerable revenue for a house or other game operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a game for play by a player using a plurality of cards. Each of the cards has a card value associated therewith. The game includes a wager posted by the player and first and second player hands provided to the player. The first and second player hands each include at least two cards. The player receives a payout based on the wager if both of the first and second player hands form at least one of a plurality of predetermined card combinations. The wager is returned to the player if exactly one of the first and second player hands form at least one of the plurality of predetermined card combinations. The wager is remitted, i.e., collected by the house or other game operator, if neither of the first or second player hands form at least one of the plurality of predetermined card combinations.

In one aspect of the present invention, one of the plurality of predetermined card combinations is two cards having card values which sum to twenty. In another aspect of the invention, one of the plurality of predetermined card combinations is two cards forming a blackjack. In still another aspect of the present invention, one of the plurality of predetermined card combinations is two cards representing a pair. The game may be an auxiliary game for play during a poker-type game. The player may receive a bonus award based on the wager when the first and second player hands form the same predetermined card combination.

The present invention also provides a poker game for play by a player using a plurality of cards. The game includes a main wager and an auxiliary wager, with both wagers being placed by the player. A two-card player hand is dealt to the player, while a set of community cards is also provided, with the set of community cards including at least a two-card community hand. The main wager is resolved according to traditional rules of poker. The auxiliary wager is resolved by examining the player hand and the community hand. The player receives a payout based on the auxiliary wager if both the player hand and the community hand form at least one of a plurality of predetermined two-card combinations. The auxiliary wager is returned to the player if exactly one of the player hand and the community hand form at least one of the plurality of predetermined two-card combinations. The auxiliary wager is remitted, i.e., collected by the house or game operator, if neither the player hand nor the community hand form at least one of the plurality of predetermined two-card combinations.

In this aspect of the present invention, one of the plurality of two-card combinations is two cards with card values summing to twenty. In another aspect of the invention, one of the plurality of two-card combinations is two cards representing a blackjack. In still another aspect of the present invention, one of the plurality of two-card combinations is two cards representing a pair. In yet a further aspect of the invention, the community cards are dealt as a three-card flop with two additional cards, with the two additional cards being the community hand.

The present invention also provides a method of playing a game using a plurality of cards, with each of the plurality of cards having a card value associated therewith. First, a plurality of two-card combinations are predetermined. The plurality of two-card combinations include at least a) two cards with card values summing to twenty; b) two cards representing a blackjack; and c) two cards representing a pair. Next, a wager is wagered by a player. A two-card player hand is then provided to the player. A set of community cards is then provided, with the set of community cards including at least a two-card community hand. Finally, the wager is resolved by comparing the player hand and the community hand to the paytable.

In one aspect of the method according to the present invention, the wager is resolved by paying a payout to the player based on the wager if both the player hand and the community hand form at least one of the plurality of two-card combinations. The payout may be enhanced if both the player hand and the comparison hand form the same of said plurality of two-card combinations. In another aspect of the method, the wager is resolved by returning the wager to the player if exactly one of the player hand and the community hand form at least one of the plurality of two-card combinations. In still another aspect of the method, the wager is resolved by remitting the wager if neither the player hand nor the community hand match at least one of the plurality of two-card combinations. The set of community cards may include a three-card flop and a two-card river, with the two-card river being the community hand. The method of playing a game according to the present invention may be utilized in conjunction with a traditional poker-type game, with the player posting a main wager in addition to the wager, wherein the main wager is resolved using traditional poker rules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a game table incorporating a game according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a flowchart presenting a method of playing a game according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 presents a schematic of a game table 10 incorporating a game according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the game is played using a standard deck of fifty-two cards, with each of the cards having a card value associated therewith. Each card represents a number between 1 and 11; i.e., cards with numbers on them have the numeric value shown, jacks, queens and kings have a numeric value of 10, and aces have a numeric value of 1 or 11. It should be appreciated that while the preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes this traditional notion of card values, the game may be played using other symbolic representations without changing the inventive concept.

As shown schematically in FIG. 1, a player 12 makes a main wager 14 and an auxiliary wager 16. A two-card player hand 18 is then dealt to the player 12. As in a traditional poker game, a set of community cards 20 are distributed. The set of community cards 20 includes at least a two-card community hand 22. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the community cards 20 are distributed as a three-card “flop” followed by a two-card “river,” with the two-card river being the community hand 22. However, it should be appreciated that any two of the community cards 20 could be selected as the community hand 22 within the scope of the present invention.

The main wager 14 is resolved according to traditional poker rules. The auxiliary wager 16 is resolved by examining the player hand 18 and the community hand 22. Particularly, the player hand 18 and the community hand 22 are compared to a predetermined plurality of card combinations. In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of card combinations include: a) two cards having card values summing to twenty; b) two cards representing a blackjack; and c) two cards representing a pair. The predetermined list is preferably posted somewhere in the game play area.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the player 12 receives a payout based on the auxiliary wager 16 if both the player hand 18 and the community hand 22 form at least one of the plurality of card combinations. For instance, if the player hand 18 is 5 clubs, 5 spades and the community hand 22 is A spades, K clubs, as shown in FIG. 1, the player 12 would receive a payout based on the auxiliary wager 16, since both the player hand 18 and the community hand 22 form at least one of the plurality of card combinations: the player hand 18 includes two cards having card values summing to twenty as well as two cards representing a pair, while the community hand 22 includes two cards representing a blackjack. Also in the preferred embodiment, the player receives a bonus award, or an enhanced payout, if the player hand 18 and the community hand 22 form the same card combination. For instance, if player hand 18 is A hearts, Q diamonds, and the community hand 22 is A spades, A clubs, the player 12 would receive a bonus award or an enhanced payout, since both the player hand 18 and the community hand 22 include two cards representing a blackjack. It is anticipated that the bonus award would be greatest when each of the player hand 18 and the community hand 22 contain a suited blackjack, and least when each of the player hand 18 and the community hand 22 contain two cards representing different pairs. However, the enhanced payout could differ within the scope of the present invention.

If exactly one of the player hand 18 and the community hand 22 form at least one of the plurality of card combinations, the auxiliary wager 16 is returned to the player; i.e., a “push” results with respect to the auxiliary wager 16. By way of example, if the community hand 22 included A spades, A clubs as shown, but the player hand 18 was 5 clubs, 6 spades, the auxiliary wager 16 would be returned to the player 12, since only the community hand 22 forms one of the plurality of card combinations. Conversely, the auxiliary wager 16 would be returned to the player 12 if the player hand 18 is 5 clubs, 5 spades, but the community hand 22 is 7 clubs, 8 diamonds, since only the player hand 18 forms one of the plurality of card combinations. If neither the player hand 18 nor the community hand 22 forms at least one of the plurality of card combinations, the auxiliary wager 16 is remitted to the “house” or other game operator.

In the preferred embodiment, the game is an auxiliary game for play during a poker-type game, as will be described herein as such. However, it should be appreciated that the game could be played as a stand-alone game without changing the inventive concept. For example, the player hand 18 could be a first player hand, with the community hand 22 being a second player hand distributed in a manner other than through community cards. It matters only that a player 12 receive first and second player hands 18, 22, preferably two-card hands, which are then compared to a list of predetermined card combinations to resolve a wager to practice the present invention.

Turning to FIG. 2, the present invention also provides a method of playing a game according to the present invention. As shown in box 100, a plurality of two-card combinations is first predetermined. The plurality of two-card combinations includes at least a) two cards with card values summing to twenty, b) two cards representing a blackjack, and c) two cards representing a pair. Next, as shown in box 102, a wager is wagered by a player. Turning to box 104, a two-card player hand is then provided to the player. As shown in box 106, a set of community cards is then provided, with the set of community cards including at least a two-card community hand. Finally, as shown in box 108, the wager is resolved by comparing the player hand and the community hand to the plurality of predetermined two-card combinations. Preferably, the wager is resolved by paying a payout to the player based on the wager if both the player hand and the community hand form at least one of the predetermined two-card combinations. The payout may be enhanced if the player hand and the community hand form the same one of the plurality of predetermined two-card combinations. The wager is preferably resolved by returning the wager to the player if exactly one of the player hand and the community hand form at least one of the plurality of predetermined two-card combinations. Finally, the wager is preferably resolved by remitting the wager to a house or other game operator if neither the player hand nor the community hand form at least one of the plurality of predetermined two-card combinations.

While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, it is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words and description rather than of limitation. Those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize that many modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced in a substantially equivalent way other than as specifically described herein. 

1. A game for play by a player using a plurality of cards, with each of said plurality of cards having a card value associated therewith, said game comprising: a wager placed by said player; a first player hand provided to said player, said first player hand including at least two cards; and a second player hand provided to said player, said second player hand including at least two cards; wherein said player receives a payout based on said wager if both said first player hand and said second player hand form at least one of a plurality of predetermined card combinations; wherein said wager is returned to said player if exactly one of said first player hand and said second player hand form at least one of said plurality of predetermined card combinations; and wherein said wager is remitted if neither said first player hand nor said second player hand form at least one of said plurality of predetermined card combinations.
 2. The game of claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of predetermined card combinations is two cards having card values which sum to twenty.
 3. The game of claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of predetermined card combinations is two cards representing a blackjack.
 4. The game of claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of predetermined card combinations is two cards representing a pair.
 5. The game of claim 1, wherein said game is an auxiliary game for play during a poker-type game.
 6. The game of claim 1, wherein said player receives a bonus award based on said wager when said first player hand and said second player hand form the same predetermined card combination.
 7. A poker game for play by a player using a plurality of cards, said game comprising: a main wager placed by said player; an auxiliary wager placed by said player; a two-card player hand dealt to said player; a set of community cards, said set of community cards including at least a two-card community hand; and a plurality of predetermined two-card combinations; wherein said main wager is resolved according to traditional rules of poker; and wherein said auxiliary wager is resolved by examining said player hand and said community hand, said player receiving a payout based on said auxiliary wager if both said player hand and said community hand form at least one of said plurality of predetermined two-card combinations, said auxiliary wager being returned to said player if exactly one of said player hand and said community hand form at least one of said plurality of predetermined two-card combinations, and said auxiliary wager being remitted if neither said player hand nor said community hand form at least one of said plurality of predetermined two-card combinations.
 8. The game of claim 7, wherein one of said plurality of predetermined two-card combinations is two cards with card values summing to twenty.
 9. The game of claim 7, wherein one of said plurality of predetermined two-card combinations is two cards representing a blackjack.
 10. The game of claim 7, wherein one of said plurality of predetermined two-card combinations is two cards representing a pair.
 11. The game of claim 7, wherein said community cards are dealt as a three-card flop and two additional cards, with said community hand being said two additional cards.
 12. A method of playing a game using a plurality of cards, with each of said plurality of cards having a card value associated therewith, said method comprising: predetermining a plurality of two-card combinations, said plurality of two-card combinations including at least a) two cards with card values summing to twenty; b) two cards representing a blackjack; and c) two cards representing a pair; wagering of a wager by a player; providing a two-card player hand to said player; providing a set of community cards, said set of community cards including at least a two-card community hand; and resolving said wager by comparing said player hand and said community hand to said plurality of predetermined two-card combinations.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said wager is resolved by paying a payout to said player based on said wager if both said player hand and said community hand form at least one of said plurality of predetermined two-card combinations.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said payout is enhanced if said player hand and said community hand form the same one of said plurality of predetermined two-card combinations.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein said wager is resolved by returning said wager to said player if exactly one of said player hand and said community hand form at least one of said plurality of predetermined two-card combinations.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein said wager is resolved by remitting said wager if neither said player hand nor said community hand form at least one of said plurality of predetermined two-card combinations.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein said set of community cards includes a three-card flop and a two-card river, said two-card river being said community hand.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein said game is played in conjunction with a traditional poker-type game, with said player posting a main wager in addition to said wager, said main wager being resolved using traditional poker rules. 